The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

August 12, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE 21 Union Theatres Pass Dividend Renters Check Price Cutting War (From. Our Australian Correspondent, Lindsay Endean) be accepted by any member of the Exhibitors’ Association. The Bioscope declined to publish this advertisement, electing not to follow the example of the Cinematograph Times, official organ of the C.E.A., in which a similar advertisement had already appeared. There may be no reason at all why this person, who has now been publicly vindicated, or, in fact, any other person who has met with similar experiences in life, should be regarded as other than publicly acceptable by cinema audiences, but the members of the C.E.A. cannot have it both ways. Until the resolution referred to has been rescinded by the C.E.A. its members are, we consider, under a moral obligation not to offer stage engagements in their cinemas to any person or persons who may have enjoyed the kind of publicity which under the terms of this resolution would prevent the acceptance of films in which they might have appeared. Principles dictated bv the C.E.A. concerning the casting of film personnel should, in fairness to film producers, be observed by C.E.A. members who elect to feature personal attractions on their stages. A Splash Of Real Irish Had the pleasure yesterday of lunching with Thomas J. (Paddy) Gogan, general manager of the Pavilion and Gardens, Dun Laoghaire, and his charming wife, who is better known as Lucy Donelly, under which name she acted as musical director at the Pavilion until a little less than two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Gogan are spending their annual vacation partly in London and are daily receiving heartening messages from Dun Laoghaire to the effect that the rain holds out and that takings are up. It is easy for exhibitors to spend a happy holiday even when it rains cats and dogs. Mrs. Gogan has some interesting views'to expound on " talkie ” music. She is not one of those musicians who have a grudge against the “ talkies,” and she tells me that in her opinion mechanical music has proved more effective in its application to films than the original music which was so laboriously and often so unsuccessfully fitted to the films in the old silent days. Here at least is a very fine musical ear which is not offended by canned music. Meantime, as Lucy Donelly, she continues to further the cause of good music by conducting classes at the Municipal College of Music in Dublin. Pictures the Best Amusements Buy The Quigley publications, which have during recent months being showing an astonishing measure of vigour and enterprise, have issued over Colvin B rown’s signature an optimistic assurance that the world is not coming to an end. There are, the statement says, a number of excellent reasons for anticipating the continued existence of the world as it is, and incidentally of the amusement business, for a sufficiently long period to justify a resumption of activity. The history of every depression proves that amusement is a necessitv, not a luxury. “The motion picture has risen to dominance because it is the best amusement buy in the world. Good pictures can be made and can be sold, but neither process is automatic ; they do not just happen, someone has to attend to the business.” After referring to some encouraging trade statistics the statement concludes : “It is the busy businesses that are advertising, selling and getting the money. The customers are buying what they want — but you have to make them want it.” Purely as a philosophic speculation it would be interesting to enquire how badly a man must need a thing before you can cease your efforts to make him want it i OBSERVER Union Theatres Investments provide the latest chapter in the drama of Australian theatre finance, the directors announcing that the necessary funds could not be made available to pay shareholders the usual halfyearly dividend on guaranteed preference shares. The sum of ,£14,000 is necessary to pay the amount due. Capitalised at £1,000,000, Union Theatres Investments' principal and didivends are guaranteed by Union Theatres, Limited, and Australasian Films, Ltd., both of which companies have been experiencing the toughest of tough times. Llowever, although the immediate outlook is far from promising, it is stated that “ negotiations have been in train some weeks with a view to stabilising the finance and trading activities of Union Theatres, Ltd.” As a balm it is stressed that every effort is being made to meet the situation, and that the dividend is cumulative and will be paid as soon as conditions permit. The present depression has hit Sydney and the State of New South Wales, once the golden realm of Australian film financial glory, harder than elsewhere, and the present State Government is aiming towards legislation which would mean the absolute death blow. This is the addition of an emergency tax ranging from Is. in the £ on wTages of £4 per week to 5s. in the £ on £10 and over. This wallop, on top of the present host of Federal and State taxes, would have definitely cut amusement out of the public’s reckoning when apportioning what little was left after the tax gatherer had taken his toll. Rex Ingram has returned to Paris after seeking locations in Morocco for “ Baroud.” The scenario and continuity for the French version, the stars of which will most probably be Pierre Batcheff and Colette Darfeuil, have been prepared by Rex Ingram and Benno Vigny. Interiors for the French version will be made in the Gaumont studios (la Victorine), near Nice. The sales agent and controller of the rights of the French version of “ Baroud ” is Andre Weill. The distribution of the film in France and Belgium will be done by Super-Film (Roger Weill-Lorach). “ Baroud ” will be one of the big attractions of next winter, and, passing through the joint circuit of Pathe-Natan and GaumontAubert, will be shown at the GaumontPalace. Incidentally, it is announced that Rex Ingram has lost his action against CorniglionMolinier, who was, at the time of the making of “ Mare Nostrom,” his legal adviser. Ingram claimed 45,000 dollars damages, alleging misappropriation of funds. It is now the turn of Corniglion-Molinier to sue Ingram for damages for alleged slander. Arbitration may settle the case immediately. Royal Amplitone : New Reproducer The Societe Benwocd, a hitherto unknown concern in the French film trade, announces to exhibitors a new reproducer, working The scheme was bowled over when initially presented for the consideration of a senior House, but our Premier, Mr. John T. Lang, is a gentleman with a determined way with him, and still cherishes a fond hope that the Bill will eventually go through. If it does, there is going to be a lot of film folk linking up with the unemployed, and Sydney will no more enjoy the importance of being Australia’s film headquarters. Of necessity, a shift will have to be made to another State, probably Victoria. Despite all the gloom, there still remains some little box office brightness. Current big money pictures are “ Viennese Nights,” which is in its eighth week at the Prince Edward, and “ Indiscreet,” at the State, while an all-British bill. “ The Skin Game ” and “ Old Soldiers Never Die,” is doing very satisfactory on a two weeks’ run at the Lyceum. * * * To be or not to be. That was the question concerning the determination of the renters to keep the minimum admission up to Is., and action was fast when Union Theatres and Fullers threatened a price-cut war. In Newcastle, capital of the coal mining area. Union Theatres announced that 9d. would be charged at one of their theatres. That being so, Fullers decided to go one lower, with 6d. in view, and then the renters stepped in. The resultant conference with representative exhibitors saw a decision that under no circumstances must the minimum drop below Is. straight off the mains, without the intervention of amplifiers or batteries. This apparatus is called the Royal Amplitone. The large apparatus. Royal Z (double projector), for halls up to 1,000 seats, costs 89,000 francs complete. The smaller apparatus, Royal Z Portative, for small halls, schools, etc., costs 55,000 complete. The Royal Amplitone has been recently installed at the Capucines Cinema (Tiffany keyhouse), Paris. A feature of the Benwood apparatus is that the sound head is incorporated within the projector mechanism, and is not an attachment. Rene Clair's New Film Preparations are actively in hand, in the Tobis (Epinay) Studios, for the production of Rene Clair’s forthcoming film “ Vive la Liberte.” The music is being composed by Georges Auric, and will include songs, choruses and dances, as well as incidental melodies and a theme melody. The whole action of the film takes place in a factory, but there are some few exterior scenes. Debut of Muratore Muratore, the famous tenor, is the star in “ Le Chanteur Inconnu,” which Tourjansky is directing for the Societe des Films-Osso. In the cast are Simone Cerdan, Jean Max and Jim Gerald. Ingram Super for Big Circuit “ Baroud ” French Cast {From our French Correspondent, Georges Clarriere)